The Phoenix Suns have made some exciting moves in pursuit of winning even more games this season, but that means this trio of players is going to see their minutes drop to accommodate them.
Ryan Dunn
This feels like the end for Ryan Dunn in Phoenix. Not only has Bridges entered the fray and is in pursuit of an extension from the franchise, but the third-year forward also has young blood in the form of Rasheer Fleming and Koa Peat to deal with.
Dunn is now stuck behind established veterans who have proven they can help this team win games, and the guys coming up behind him who have shown more consistency already, particularly on the offensive end of the court. We're saying he's gone by the deadline.
Jamaree Bouyea
Many were surprised when the Suns brought Bouyea back this summer, but he was a handy player for Coach Jordan Ott to have in his maiden campaign. Bouyea is tall enough to defend multiple positions and is more than happy to do so, while he's also a true point guard.
Ordinarily, that would be a plus as the Suns need as many floor generals on the roster to make Devin Booker's life easier as they can get. They brought back a pair in Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin, who sit above Bouyea on the depth chart.
Look for Kennard to steal some of his minutes, while Pat Spencer is lurking on a two-way and eager to prove himself. This is not a criticism of Bouyea, and he will be useful on certain nights, but his role will be diminished compared to last season.
Jalen Green
The biggest loser entering the season is Jalen Green. Only the introduction of a second basketball would be able to save him. The Suns' starting five has fit, usage, and spacing issues, and Green will become the fall guy when those inevitably come to the fore early in the campaign.
Like Bouyea, he also has Gillespie and Goodwin breathing down his neck to try to steal his spot. Both are better fits next to Booker, whereas Green takes the ball out of the franchise cornerstone's hands in pursuit of his own shot.
It may get so bad that bringing him off the bench ends up being the best solution. Green's 25.9 minutes per night last season were by far a career low, but could also be attributed to playing only 32 games because of injury. That number will tumble once again, and the treatment table won't be the reason why.
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